DAILY- HOMILY

FEBRUARY 14, 2011
MEMORIAL, STS CYRIL AND METHODIUS
MONDAY 6TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR I

Gn 4:1-15, 25/ Ps 50:1, 8, 16-17, 20-21 / Mk 8:11-13

GENESIS 4:1-15, 25
Adam had intercourse with Eve his wife; she became pregnant and gave
birth to a child. She named him Cain, for she said, "I have got a man
with help from Yahweh." She later gave birth to Abel, his brother.
Abel was a shepherd and kept flocks, and Cain tilled the soil. It
happened after a time that Cain brought fruits of the soil as an
offering to Yahweh. Abel for his part brought the firstborn of his
flock, and some fat as well. Now Yahweh was well pleased with Abel and
his offering, but towards Cain and his offering he showed no pleasure.
This made Cain very angry and downcast. Then Yahweh said to Cain, "Why
are you angry and downcast? If you do right, why do you not look up?
But if you are not doing what is right, sin is lurking at the door. It
is striving to get you, but you must control it." Cain said to his
brother Abel, "Let's go to the fields." Once there, Cain turned on his
brother Abel and killed him. Yahweh said to Cain, "Where is your
brother, Abel?" He answered, "I don't know; am I my brother's keeper?"
Yahweh asked, "What have you done? Your brother's blood cries out to
me from the ground. Now be cursed and driven from the ground that has
opened its mouth to receive your broth¬er's blood that your hand has
shed. When you till the soil, it will no longer yield you its produce.
You will be a fugitive wandering on the earth." Cain said to Yahweh,
"My punishment is greater than I can bear. See! Today you drive me
from this land. I must hide from you and be a wanderer and a fugitive
on the earth, and it will so happen that whoever meets me will kill
me." Yahweh said to him, "Well then, whoever kills Cain, will suffer
ven¬geance seven times." And Yahweh put a mark on Cain to prevent
anyone who met him from killing him. Adam again had intercourse with
his wife and she gave birth to a son and named him Seth; for she said,
"Yahweh has given me another child in place of Abel since Cain killed
him."

MARK 8:11-13
The Pharisees came and started to argue with Jesus. Hoping to
embarrass him, they asked for some heavenly sign. Then his spirit was
moved. He gave a deep sigh and said, "Why do the people of this
present time ask for a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign shall be
given to this people." Then he left them, got into the boat again and
went to the other side of the lake.

REFLECTION
Jesus comes to all and offers himself to everyone. All he asks is that
people believe in him and accept him as their Lord and Savior. Many
could not or would not do this. Many have wanted more from Jesus. Many
have wanted more recognition of who they are and not who Jesus is.
Others have desired more proofs of his ability to be the Jesus of
every crisis. Still others have wanted more freedom to act as they
want and not as Christ wants.

But Jesus says, "Take what I have already offered and let that
suffice." Many cannot or will not do this. They want more signs from
him, and Jesus refuses to comply with them. Millions claim to be
followers of Jesus as long as it suits their life style, as long as
the world goes their way. Many people soon depart from Jesus because
his way is the way of the Cross and not the way of glamour. It is no
wonder that these people afflict our Lord and bring shame upon his
name.

Jesus had a very good reason to groan deeply as he does in today's
Gospel reading. He was hurt and disgusted with the Pharisees' lack of
sensitivity to him and to his work which he had already accomplished
among them. Jesus' reply to the Pharisees that day was, "Take me or
leave me. I will not lower myself to your whims and fancies."

Not too much has changed over the years since this encounter with
Jesus that day so long ago. Today, the separation continues between
those who seek additional signs and those who have accepted what was
given by Jesus in his word. It is safe to simply take Jesus for what
he has done and not put him to more tests for our own personal
pleasure. We need no other sign from him to verify that he is Lord.
Let us not tax him with requests for useless signs that will make him
sigh and groan.

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
… for the speedy recovery and healing of
- Bong Lacida
- David Tan
… for the personal intentions of Josheil Dapo
… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: Allan Ramos
- Birthday: Rogelio Vicencio
- Birthday: Claire S. Diokno
- Wedding Anniversary: Fred & Carol David
- Wedding Anniversary: Tony & Jennifer Gotamco Tan
- In Memoriam (+): Salud Nuqui Inocentes (Feb 14,1914-Oct 23,1978)
- In Memoriam (+): Eduardo Yu Chui Khue (May 27, 1923-Feb 14, 2009)+
- In Memoriam (+): Stephen Ng Lim (Apr 25, 1956-Feb 14, 1957)+
- In Memoriam (+): Vicente F. Fabella
… for world peace and reconciliation.

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers
and for those who need our prayers the most.

Have a good day!

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